Russia Puts Meta Spokesperson on Wanted List

In a recent move that intensifies the tension between Russia and the US tech giants, Russian authorities have placed Andy Stone, the spokesperson for Meta, on their wanted list.

Meta, known for its social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, has been classified as an "extremist" organization by the Russian government.

According to the French Press Agency, Stone's inclusion in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' database signifies a significant escalation in Russia's approach to controlling social media influence within its borders.

The specific charges against Stone, however, remain unspecified.

This action follows Russia's decision in October 2022 to officially declare the American conglomerate a "terrorist and extremist" organization.

This designation has opened the door for more stringent legal actions against Meta's users in Russia.

Since the Russian offensive in Ukraine, access to Facebook and Instagram has been restricted in Russia, with users requiring VPNs to reach these platforms.

This restriction extends to platform 'X' and various media outlets that critique the government.

Despite the ban, Meta's applications, particularly Instagram, continue to be popular among Russian youths.

In a related development, Russia had earlier, in April 2022, blacklisted Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, barring him from entering Russian territory.